Amiga 500 Vampire is alive

[kipper2k]

Originally Posted by Dunny

That would be a massive deal-breaker - no acceleration or other features under 1.3, which is surely the point of running it on an A500. If it requires 3.1 to operate then it's pretty pointless.

Think I'll wait for the A1200 version, which at least makes some sense to me.

The A500 will be the same as the a1200, have the same features of it so if you don't have an a1200 then you don't need one. There are very few things that need to run on KS1.3 that haven't been modified to work under either whdload or other means ?

[dirkies]

I agree that if kick 3.1 is mandatory for a V500 it would become pretty pointless for many.

[kipper2k]

there is softkick option, remember the original cpu is no longer used. if it was to be mounted then you cannot use the ide header and the height would be too high to prob close the case, there will be some people that will not like this option. it is just the way it is

[dirkies]

Ok thanks for clearing that up. So it will be similar then to let's say softkick 1.3 on a 060 machine? Old kick, no extras but still with improved speed?
And are you saying you could still mount the 68k cpu if you do not use ide and leave the case open?
Maybe this guy kipper2k will come up with some crazy adapter in such cases

[majsta]

Again, let me repeat, this is FPGA and reason why something is slow or not compatible or even not supported can be fixed later easily like you have seen with core upgrades for V600. We have about 50% free space on FPGA so there is a lot of room left for some other options

[grond]

I don't understand why anyone would want 1.3 with more than 68000 speed. I do understand that some people want 1.3 with exactly 68000 speed. But faster? Why? The software that won't run under 3.1 doesn't need more than 68000 speed.

[kipper2k]

i can understand mabbe using your a500 as a stock a500 and play those real old original disks that bang your floppy drive but most of them probably would not even work properly on a sped up 68000 cpu

[zipper]

Weren't there some flight simulators - OCS only - that could benefit from a faster 68000?

[desiv]

Originally Posted by zipper

Weren't there some flight simulators - OCS only - that could benefit from a faster 68000?

Yeah, but I would think those would be exactly what whdload is for.. ;-)

I can imagine some people wanting an "original mode" where you get 1.3 AND a 7-ish Mhz 68k (real or FPGA) CPU for that original feel.

That's what I have my A1000 for tho... I added some RAM and a CF hard drive, but it's 1.3 (or 1.1 or 1.2), and I've no plans for acceleration or higher kickstarts for him..

That's what my A1200 is for!!! ;-)
So I'll wait for the 1200 Vampire version.

And Kipper2K, take your time!
I need to start putting a few bucks away every month for the 1200 version.. I'd hate for it to be released before I can buy it, and listen to everyone talking about how great it is, and I get stuck reading great reviews and watching youtube videos!!! AND...
er.. um...

I mean, I want to make sure YOU have plenty of time to deliver the quality you expect...
So no rush at all!!! ;-) ;-)

desiv

[Dunny]

Also productivity software such as Sonix etc.

[kipper2k]

Originally Posted by desiv

Yeah, but I would think those would be exactly what whdload is for.. ;-)

I can imagine some people wanting an "original mode" where you get 1.3 AND a 7-ish Mhz 68k (real or FPGA) CPU for that original feel.

That's what I have my A1000 for tho... I added some RAM and a CF hard drive, but it's 1.3 (or 1.1 or 1.2), and I've no plans for acceleration or higher kickstarts for him..

That's what my A1200 is for!!! ;-)
So I'll wait for the 1200 Vampire version.

And Kipper2K, take your time!
I need to start putting a few bucks away every month for the 1200 version.. I'd hate for it to be released before I can buy it, and listen to everyone talking about how great it is, and I get stuck reading great reviews and watching youtube videos!!! AND...
er.. um...

I mean, I want to make sure YOU have plenty of time to deliver the quality you expect...
So no rush at all!!! ;-) ;-)

desiv

The only issue i have with the a1200 release (on my end) is the availability of the connectors, i have quite a lot of them but not enough (based on sales of the V600). I can get them made in the USA, but ithe price is high, that cost obviously will be passed on to the customer so if people can find a nice Chinese supplier let me know

[desiv]

Originally Posted by kipper2k

The only issue i have with the a1200 release (on my end) is the availability, i have quite a lot of them but not enough (based on sales of the V600).

Totally understand on that.
On a silly side from someone who doesn't know..
Would it make more sense and even be possible to do a 1200 version that sits where the CPU sits like the 600 Vampire?

I know it seems silly with that nice expansion port, but..
Just a thought...

desiv

[eXeler0]

Originally Posted by kipper2k

The only issue i have with the a1200 release (on my end) is the availability of the connectors, i have quite a lot of them but not enough (based on sales of the V600). I can get them made in the USA, but ithe price is high, that cost obviously will be passed on to the customer so if people can find a nice Chinese supplier let me know

@Kipper2k I heard a number once, I believe you had some 200 connectors that you played $20 a piece for. Isn't that OK-ish? It's a small price premium all things considered. (The rumors about) more ram and better FPGA for the A1200 version will also add to the price, but I still think it's fine. After all, the prices ppl in Amigaland are used to are 030 accelerators in the $250 range and ridiculously overpriced 060 blizzards in the $600 range...
So if the V1200 ends up costing... say... $225 it's still a bloody good deal if you ask me.

[kipper2k]

Originally Posted by eXeler0

@Kipper2k I heard a number once, I believe you had some 200 connectors that you played $20 a piece for. Isn't that OK-ish? It's a small price premium all things considered. (The rumors about) more ram and better FPGA for the A1200 version will also add to the price, but I still think it's fine. After all, the prices ppl in Amigaland are used to are 030 accelerators in the $250 range and ridiculously overpriced 060 blizzards in the $600 range...
So if the V1200 ends up costing... say... $225 it's still a bloody good deal if you ask me.

Yup, i did buy 200 connectors (NOS), i have about 170 - 180 left and you know that they will not be enough to satisfy demand. The team is talking about various options for the A1200, too early for starting rumours but i think there are good things to come.

[clebin]

Originally Posted by desiv

Would it make more sense and even be possible to do a 1200 version that sits where the CPU sits like the 600 Vampire?

Personally, I'd pay the extra for a good, solid connection every time.

EDIT:
By the way, I think it's great that all the Amiga flavours have the option for faster FPGAs and not just the A1200. The A1200 gets all the best toys!

[eXeler0]

Originally Posted by clebin

Personally, I'd pay the extra for a good, solid connection every time.

EDIT:
By the way, I think it's great that all the Amiga flavours have the option for faster FPGAs and not just the A1200. The A1200 gets all the best toys!

Well, that's the thing with the A1200, it has plenty of space for a card that connects (and stays connected) to a nice 32 bit connector. Why not put that extra space to good use?
The piggy back models have other design limitations simply because you need to place them in a very specific place, they must not block certain parts of the mobo and you want to secure them in a way that's doable with existing holes in the motherboard.
First of all, a piggy back design for the A1200 would be very hard because the 020 is placed awkwardly close to the edge of the motherboard (and at the narrow end).
http://www.bigbookofamigahardware.co...0mb_rev1d4.jpg
Secondly, if the propriety connectors were *impossible* to acquire then maybe someone would do a wired piggy-back socket extender in some awkward manner, but as it is, its an unnecessary and well... stupid, I guess.. thing to do ;-)

[utri007]

My point of view, ethernet is mandatory. I couldn't imagine "high tech" amiga without that. I makes life so much easier and gives losts of options.

I'm interested A500 version mostly because of CDTV. It would make CDTV the ultimate Amiga / whdload / gaming machine.

CDTV is only "wife approved" amiga to living room.

How about CPU adapter like this http://www.toddfun.com/blog/wp-conte...keyboard-1.jpg

It would remove need of extra headers, no pressure to CPU socket, allow putting Vampire to any Place.

[kipper2k]

Originally Posted by utri007

My point of view, ethernet is mandatory. I couldn't imagine "high tech" amiga without that. I makes life so much easier and gives losts of options.

I'm interested A500 version mostly because of CDTV. It would make CDTV the ultimate Amiga / whdload / gaming machine.

CDTV is only "wife approved" amiga to living room.

How about CPU adapter like this http://www.toddfun.com/blog/wp-conte...keyboard-1.jpg

It would remove need of extra headers, no pressure to CPU socket, allow putting Vampire to any Place.

My a508IDE board willl fit in a cdtv so i think it should accept vampire, an adapter can be easily made

[majikeyric]

Maybe a silly question, will the Vampire 500 be compatible with A500+ ?

[kipper2k]

Originally Posted by majikeyric

Maybe a silly question, will the Vampire 500 be compatible with A500+ ?

Most definitely, this will be my vampire A500 of choice